Nissan Stanza race car – A tribute to SA motorsport’s glory days

The Jacobs brothers live and breathe everything Datsun and Nissan. Riaan Jacobs of The Datsun Shop in Mpumalanga shows us his 1982 Nissan Stanza race car tribute.

“We built this Stanza as a tribute to the 1982 Castrol 1000 and the car raced by Dick Sorensen and Barry Powers. It came out tops in Class C. It has been a lifelong passion to build this car. We searched far and wide to get the right donor car to start this project.”

To call it a mere “replica” race car doesn’t completely do this project justice, as Riaan Jacobs did find a host of period-correct parts that he built into this machine.

“Most of the parts are from a period-specific Stanza. I searched for about 6 years before I finally found a car in Windhoek, Namibia. We bought it at a pawn shop and towed it back to South Africa,” says Riaan.

“These cars were built ‘very rough’ back in the day, and they were built to go fast. Overall, it took me around 3 years to build the Stanza race car. A lot of work to the body was needed, such as the fitment of the wide wheel arches, the unique front fenders and the bumper.

“We had to respray the entire car and fit the engine. Thankfully, the gearbox was already there. When we got the car, it was little more than a rolling shell, and we had to start from scratch.

“The wheels had to be refurbished, which I did myself,” Riaan adds. “In fact, I did about 90% of all the work on the car. The L18 engine of the Stanza race car had to be rebuilt, plus the wiring also had to be replaced. We tried to make this engine as period-correct as possible. ‘Uncle’ Dick Sorensen is a very good friend of mine, and he gave me all the info from his original textbooks and even the dyno graph.”

Specifications

Car: 1982 Nissan Stanza
Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder, petrol
Power: 96 kW at 6 500rpm
Torque: 162 Nm at 5 100rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Top speed: 205 kph
Wheelbase: 2 400 mm
Width: 1 335 mm (f), 1 330 mm (r)
Weight: 950 kg
Wheels: Compomotive, three-piece split: 16 x 8J (f), 16 x 9J (r)

“This information was immensely valuable. We used that info to keep the engine as close to period-correct spec as possible. We had the car on the dyno when it was finished, and it made 4 kW and 11 Nm less than the original motor. We think that might be due to our lower 10.5:1 compression ratio. We also use 95 octane fuel because that makes the car easier to run and maintain.

“The front suspension is completely rose-jointed, for maintenance, as well as for handling and feedback on track. The 3-link rear suspension is complemented by a limited-slip differential. We also did a disc-brake conversion on the rear axle, and the entire rear suspension has also been rose jointed.

“There is a 25-litre fuel tank with 2 pumps, and the roll-cage is an FIA-specification unit. The racing seat is not some modern unit, but is Martin Richards’ original seat, which he used in his first race car during oval track racing in Goodwood, Cape Town. I’m very sentimental about this car, in that regard.

“The livery that we chose was one of the most beautiful liveries of the ‘Eighties. I think the car only competed in 3 races with this livery. Some of the challenges involved finding the correct grille and rear lights. We had no luck whatsoever finding badges, so we decided to have them made by a specialist.

“Instead of having stickers printed, we at The Datsun Shop prefer to have the correct livery painted on. It is quite something to see a specialist painting for a day or two to get all the sponsor logos right.

“We will build a new engine for the car in the future, as we got our hands on a period-specific engine that is untouched. We have raced the car once since it was finished, at the Passion for Speed in 2021.

“The Stanza race car is quite a handful, and it was the 1st car I’ve owned with semi-slicks, but with every outing you learn more about the car, its setup and sensitivities to tyre temperatures and pressures. We would like to do 3- and 5-hour endurance races if those race meetings aren’t too far away from here.

“We are very family-oriented, and on weekends, my kids join me at the workshop and play and help me around the cars. We grew up with oval-track racing, as well as with Nissans and Datsuns. Through all of this and a 140Z I found and had to rebuild, I landed myself in this ‘total Z craze’. These 140Zs are my favourite Datsuns, partly owing to their rarity, but also their motorsport pedigree.

“My brother says that sometimes it is more fun building a car than driving it,” Riaan concludes.

It seems more builds are sure to pass through the Jacobs brothers’ hands in future. We wish them well!

Search for a classic car listed on Cars.co.za

BMW M 50th Anniversary: SA Details

BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022 and to celebrate, there will be a cool retro logo offered for BMW M and M Performance products.

Prepare the birthday celebrations as the 24th May 2022 marks 50 years of M GmbH. To mark the occasion, BMW will be offering a very cool-looking retro logo for new M and M Performance customers. This logo will be available on the vehicle nose, rear bumper as well as the wheels. Inspired by the classic BMW Motorsport logo, this emblem is unmistakably BMW, but stands out.

“With the classic ‘BMW Motorsport’ emblem, we would like to share our joy about the anniversary of BMW M GmbH with the fans of the brand,” says Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH. “We have a great year ahead of us, which will be celebrated with unique product highlights and exciting performances. The M has long been considered the strongest letter in the world, and in our company’s anniversary year it is stronger than ever.”

The German performance brand also confirmed that 50 of its iconic and historically significant M paint colours will be made available on some models in 2022.

The performance division of BMW is having a good run, with yet another sales record in 2021 in the crosshairs. The M division has a diverse arsenal of performance vehicles currently on sale, ranging from the BMW M135i xDrive in the hatchback segment, to the mighty M8 Competition in the grand tourer segment. Let’s not forget the incredible performance offered by the M SUV range either.

In 2022, BMW M will be launching the M3 Touring (station wagon), a very special BMW M4 coupe (which we suspect is the BMW M4 CSL) and work is well underway on the all-new BMW M2 coupe. With electrification in mind, BMW M is also planning its first electrified high-performance vehicle in the history of the brand.

Other M 50 year celebrations include many events, with headliners like the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Northern Italy, followed by the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Great Britain and the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California and with such an illustrious motorsport history, the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

BMW South Africa confirmed it will be offering this new logo to its customers from the 2nd quarter of 2022.

Why isn’t Kia following Hyundai into bakkies?

The two Korean companies use similar tech, so where is the Kia double-cab?

Global automakers are navigating very uncertain times. Resources are being poured into electric vehicles, but the real revenues remain with more traditional products. Like bakkies.

The tasty profits and low battery powertrain expectations in the bakkie market appeal to many product development teams. Brands that would never consider a bakkie, are pivoting into the double-cab space.

Some have failed. Most noticeably, Mercedes-Benz. But with lots of cash on hand and robust R&D structures, the Koreans are finally embarking upon a double-cab product initiative of their own.

Hyundai has been first, as one would expect from Korea’s largest automotive company. The Santa Cruz double-cab looks great and is based on the Tucson SUV platform, making it nearly perfect in configuration and purpose, as a lifestyle bakkie.

But as most things Hyundai are also Kia, why is the latter not marketing a bakkie, yet? This is an excellent question, as the two brands use the same components and platforms.

Kia has the potential to produce a terrific large double-cab bakkie. How? It could simply create a double-cab version of the award-winning Telluride large SUV.

Although that would mean a unibody platform, with the Telluride using an adapted version of Kia’s Sorento platform, the sacrifice in loadability would be offset by passenger comfort and ride quality.

A Kia bakkie would seem such a logical product evolution. But news from Australia indicates that it won’t be happening. Soon.

Kia’s Australian boss, Damian Meredith, has been trying to convince the company’s Korean CEO of the double-cab product merits. But although Kia recognizes demand, a bakkie project doesn’t appear to have momentum.

Speaking to the Australian media outlet, CarsGuide, Meredith admitted as much. “We haven’t had any definitive answer from Kia headquarters.”

The truth is that Hyundai’s Santa Cruz bakkie was developed and configured before the pandemic or chip crisis.

In a constrained supply chain world, where the focus for Kia is on expanding its electric vehicle offering, a double-cab bakkie is not quite the product priority. Although many South African fans of the brand, wish it was.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has received quite a lot of adoration from SA bakkie fans

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Launch Review

It’s always exciting to sample a brand new car, but it’s a rare and special experience to drive an entirely new brand of car. South Africans now have an extra badge to choose from when shopping for new wheels and it belongs to Chery. It’s not the Chinese brand’s first foray into the local market, but it may as well be…

You may vaguely remember the brand’s name from the late 2000s. The McCarthy dealer group (now known as Bidvest Automotive) used to distribute Chery in South Africa back then, but while the brand’s products were quite competitively priced, they weren’t particularly well-made – or attractive. The Daewoo Matiz clone (known as the QQ) and Tiggo crossover failed to impress and Chery left our market.

Having driven the new Tiggo 4 Pro, I can assure you, however, that today’s Chery models make the QQ seem like it was built in the late 1800s. It’s astonishing how far this brand has come in just 12 years.

The Tiggo 4 Pro looks like an excellent offering in the segment, let’s see how it will perform on the sales charts.

If you don’t read much further, all you need to know is that the Tiggo 4 Pro is an impressive product that’s offered at a relatively impressive price point. To put the model in context, it is roughly the size of a Suzuki Vitara Brezza or Toyota Urban Cruiser, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, VW T-Cross and Nissan Magnite. Chery intends to steal sales from all of them… and I feel they have the right recipe for success.

The car simply feels like a quality product in all aspects. For example, it offers a particularly impressive ride quality. On the launch route, we traversed some truly shocking roads in the Hartbeespoort Dam area, but not at the cost of occupant comfort… the Tiggo dealt with rough road surfaces with remarkable composure. The cabin is well insulated too – there’s little road- or wind noise intrusion to speak of.

How does the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro perform?

The Tiggo is only front-wheel-drive, but its raised ride height is a boon on dirt roads (and when wading through standing water).

The Tiggo 4 Pro’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) was a highlight and I think it’s quite possibly the first time I’ve praised a “gearless” drivetrain, which often labours when fitted to gutless budget cars. Not so in the case of Chery’s newcomer – it is tuned particularly well and avoids droning like most CVTs I’ve experienced. It seems to know what you want to do ahead of time and prepares itself accordingly. Interestingly, you can flick the transmission lever into manual mode, which gives the driver access to 9 (yes, 9) pre-programmed digital “steps”. There are no shift paddles to use, so you have to tap the gear lever up and down to flick through the “steps”. I gave it a go, but the action seemed a bit superfluous… the CVT is so accomplished in automatic mode, I left it to its own devices.

Two engines are available across the range’s 5 derivatives: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit. I only had the opportunity to drive the turbocharged version, but I was suitably impressed with its pulling power. Overtaking was relatively easy and, if I had to be picky, the engine was a little gruff at high revs, but not enough to be bothersome.

The indicated fuel consumption was 10 L/100 km at the conclusion of our test route, which isn’t ideal for a car this size; however, our test unit had barely 64 km on the odometer. I suspect that the Tiggo 4 Pro’s average consumption would improve as the engine loosens up after a brief run-in period… and besides, most commuters tend to adopt more conservative driving styles than motoring journalists!

What’s the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro like inside?

The upmarket interior with leather trim and red striping (SE derivative only) appears well above the quality of market competitors.

The cabin is, well, well-appointed. All Tiggo 4 Pro variants are fitted as standard with a large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which sits proud of the fascia, as well as a fully digital instrument cluster (instead of a binnacle filled with analogue dials). The screen resolution is of high quality and helps to make the interior feel particularly modern. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are supported too.

The quality of materials and soft-touch panels around the interior look and feel premium, as does the leather-trimmed steering wheel and seats. The Chery press release does not make mention of cloth upholstery, so I assume leather (or, at the very least, imitation leather) is fitted as standard on the Elite and SE derivatives. I can quite confidently say that the Tiggo 4 Pro has the best interior in its segment.

The load bay seems rather capacious too. I anticipate it could even be sufficient to accommodate a family of four’s luggage for a weekend away. The rear seatback can fold down in a 60/40 split if needed.

The entry-level Urban derivative is listed at R269 900, but details on that spec level are scarce and, from what I could tell, all of the vehicles on the press launch were the Elite SE (Special Edition) – it certainly seems as if the fledgling Chery SA wanted to put its best foot forward. The price jumps up to R359 900 for this Special Edition, which includes larger 17-inch wheels, various exterior and interior accents, a sunroof, 6 airbags (including curtain airbags), a tyre pressure monitoring system, interior ambient lighting, puddle lights, LED headlights and taillights, plus a larger digital instrument cluster.

Also read: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Specs & Price

Chery’s dealer footprint in South Africa

Chery has set up over 30 dealerships in South Africa.

For a returning brand, Chery has made sure to put sufficient after-sales support in place. All Tiggo 4 Pros come with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, a 5-year/60 000 km service plan and 5 years’ roadside assistance (provided by the AA). However, on top of that, when the manufacturer warranty ends, the balance of a 10-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty should still apply. Yes, a 1-million-km engine warranty. However, there is a catch: the extended warranty will only apply if the car still belongs to the original owner (who purchased the car from new) and if the car had been serviced at Chery dealers.

On the topic of dealers, just over 30 dealerships are in place from launch. The network covers most of the country’s major metros and the majority of outlets are located in Gauteng.

Summary of the Tiggo 4 Pro

With the Tiggo 4 Pro, Chery has introduced a real fighter in the small crossover/compact family car segment. Whereas recent newcomers such as the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger have left us feeling a trifle underwhelmed, the Tiggo 4 Pro seems a better product at a similar price. The outlier in this segment is the Haval Jolion, which is a larger car than the Chery and available at the same price points.

Ultimately, a wider selection to choose from is good for the consumer and, given the perceived quality of the new Tiggo 4 Pro, if you are in the market for a “baby SUV” at this price point, I don’t think you can ignore this newcomer. Chery will be hoping to emulate the incredible success of Haval, another Chinese brand, in this market. With the Tiggo 4 Pro, the new brand is certainly off to a promising start.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – prices in South Africa (Nov 2021)

1.5 Urban (5MT)	R269 900
1.5 Comfort (CVT 9SPD)	R299 900
1.5 Elite (6MT)	R319 900
1.5 Elite (CVT 9 SPD)	R349 900
1.5 Elite SE (CVT 9SPD)	R359 900

Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile Safety Enhanced

Toyota has beefed up the safety specification for its Hiace Ses’fikile people mover in South Africa.

Millions of South Africans rely on taxi’s to get to and from work every single day and many of these taxis are indeed the locally-produced Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile.

Earlier this year, Toyota fitted a driver guard on the Hiace Ses’fikile and now safety specification has been further enhanced with the fitment of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) as well as Brake Assist (BA) and Hill Assist Control (HAC) and Traction Control (TRC). In addition to the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), an Emergency Brake signal has also been included as well as a new hooter design which is said to be more durable.

How much does the Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile cost in South Africa? (November 2021)

Hiace Ses’fikile 2.7 16-seater – R478 500

Hiace Ses’fikile 2.5 Diesel 16-seater – R508 300

The Toyota Hiace Hiace Ses’fikile is sold with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 6-services/60 000 km service plan and service intervals are set as 12-months/10 000 km. Additional service plans and warranty upgrades are also available to buyers.

Buy a used Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile on Cars.co.za

It’s a Race! BMW 128ti versus Toyota GR Yaris on the Quarter-Mile

Watch Ciro de Siena and Ashley Oldfield charge down the quarter-mile strip in the BMW 128ti and the Toyota GR Yaris. Who wins? Watch now!

The Toyota GR Yaris has turned the hot hatch market on its head with its incredible 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine, all-wheel drive and 6-speed manual gearbox. Very few cars are this engaging and fast!

The BMW 128ti represents a new avenue for the German brand, mixing a turbocharged 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with front-wheel drive.

That GR Yaris with Ashley Oldfield behind the wheel is going to be incredibly quick off the line, does Ciro de Siena in the BMW 128ti stand a chance?

Looking for a demo Toyota GR Yaris for sale in South Africa? We have a few to choose from!

Want to get behind the wheel of the impressive BMW 128ti? Search now.

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2023 Ford Ranger: Entry-level model first look

The all-new 2023 Ford Ranger has been revealed and while all eyes are on the striking XLT and Wildtrak models, we wonder what the entry-level model will look like. Wonder no more!

The new 2023 Ford Ranger looks to be one very impressive offering. Combining modern fresh looks with what appears to be one of the most digitally advanced cabins, the new Ranger is sure to take the market by storm when it touches down in 2022.

Ford South Africa says the order books open in the 2nd quarter of 2022 and while the engine and derivatives are yet to be confirmed, we do know that the engines on offer range from the 2.0-litre single turbo and 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesels, as well as a 2.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol motor.

The big headline news as far as engines go is the confirmation from Ford that a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel will make its debut in the Ranger. Whether the SA market will get this engine remains to be seen.

The interior we have seen in the Wildtrak and XLT press images has impressed us. There’s a huge focus on digitalisation and the huge talking point will be the inclusion of a portrait-orientated oversized infotainment screen with Ford’s SYNC4. We’re yet to see it in the metal, but so far, the Wildtrak and XLT look tantalising.

It’s all very well lusting after the flagship luxury models, but in the case of double-cab bakkies, they’re expecting to fulfil both lifestyle and commercial roles. What about the workhorse aspect of the all-new Ford Ranger? While there’s been virtually no coverage of the single-cab or entry-level Ranger derivatives, a deep-dive into the various Ford media websites turned up some images.

Visually, the entry-level Ranger workhorses loses the fancy daytime running lights and alloy wheels, and receive a simplified version of the new grille. Interestingly, there are no images of the interior and we’re left wondering if the cabin will also receive the new large infotainment system or make do with a basic system.

It’s too early to say what engines will be offered either and if you can recall correctly, the predecessor made do with the older 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel motor while its upmarket siblings had the new-generation 2.0-litre powertrain.

Ford has confirmed its all-new Ranger will be built in South Africa at the Blue Oval’s facility in Silverton, Pretoria and customers can start ordering the new bakkie in the 2nd quarter of 2022.

JAC T8 (2021) Specs & Price

A new range-topping JAC T8 double-cab bakkie has been introduced to the South African market. See specification and pricing details below…

Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, JAC, has bolstered its current T8 double-cab bakkie offering with a new range-topping, leisure-orientated T8 powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 104 kW and 320 Nm and is now available in either 4×2 or 4×4 guise and is mated with a 6-speed manual transmission.

“The T8 double-cab is the bestseller in our product stable. With its powerful new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel powerplant, it definitely will increase our share of this competitive market segment,” says Karl-Heinz Göbel, Chief Executive Officer of JAC Motors South Africa.

What standard features are offered on the JAC T8?

As far as standard features are concerned, the newcomer rides on two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels and the interior is equipped with comfort and convenience features such as a multi-function steering wheel, adjustable steering column, cruise control, air-conditioner, leather seats and electric windows. A multi-information display instrument cluster, a reverse camera, rear park distance sensors, remote keyless entry and central locking with automatic locking doors is also part of the standard kit.

In terms of infotainment, the JAC T8 is equipped with a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality as well as Bluetooth.

On the safety front, 2 front airbags are fitted along with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Override System (BOS), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Traction Control System (TCS), Hill-start Hold Control (HHC) and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Can the JAC T8 go offroad?

Yes, it can. With its BorgWarner ESOF electronically-controlled time-sharing four-wheel-drive system, the T8 4×4 allows the driver to switch between 2H and 4H at speeds up to 80 kph and 4L can also be engaged when stationary to tackle rough terrain. An electronically controlled differential lock is also fitted.

Ground clearance is at 220mm and the T8 has an approach angle of 29.6⁰, a break-over angle of 23.5⁰ and a departure angle of 22.4⁰.

Also, the T8 has a payload of 900 kg and a braked tow rating of 2 000kg.

How much does the JAC T8 Cost in South Africa

T8 2.0L CTi 4×2 Lux – R412 400

T8 2.0L CTi 4×4 Lux – R462 400

The JAC T8 is sold with a 5-year/150 000km warranty and a 5-year/60 000 km service plan.

Buy a used JAC T8 on Cars.co.za

New Ford Ranger officially revealed

The next-generation Ford Ranger has finally been unveiled. Here’s what we know about the Blue Oval’s newcomer, which, like its predecessor, will be built in South Africa.

Throughout the past few months, our channels have been inundated with teaser images, videos and spy photographs of the next Ford Ranger and, today, the new-generation bakkie has finally been revealed. Ford calls this rival to the GWM P-Series, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara – and especially the top-selling Toyota Hilux – the “smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger ever.”

“With Ranger, we’ve had a big extended family for decades,” said Jim Farley, the Ford Motor Company’s president and CEO. “This truck has always been a trusted partner to small business owners, farmers, families, adventurers, commercial fleets – and so many more – in more than 180 markets around the world. And with the new Ranger, this is our moment to deliver… not just a product our customers will love, but an always-on experience that will help us build strong and lasting relationships with them. This is the mid-sized truck people will want to own and experience.”

The all-new Ford Ranger will be built at the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s assembly plant in Silverton, Pretoria, as well as in Thailand, for the global market. Interestingly, the new Ranger project was spearheaded by Ford’s Product Development Centre in Australia. Australia is a bakkie-crazy nation (as we are) and, in case you didn’t know it, the outgoing Ranger was, by and large, developed Down Under as well. Ford claims to have tapped into its current ownership base and conducted more than 5 000 interviews and customer workshops to try to understand the market’s needs and expectations.

2023 Ford Ranger Design

The teaser images did a good job of concealing the new model’s finer exterior details, because the production-ready design certainly looks fresh and contemporary. Pictured here are the mid-range XLT, rugged Sport and luxurious Wildtrak derivatives of the new range. There are design elements that were borrowed from the rest of the Ford pickup range, including the front-wheel-drive Maverick and the darling of the North American market – the F-150. The front is characterised by an aggressive grille, C-shaped headlights (with matrix LED headlight technology, for the first time) and daytime running lights.

The bodywork features plenty of creases and lines, all of which gives the new Ranger a muscular stance, while the bakkie’s rear end shows off newly-designed tail-light clusters. The cabin is where the new Ranger really shines, however. The interior architecture is dominated by a smart-looking portrait-oriented infotainment system, which is underpinned by Ford SYNC4 technology.

The newcomer’s fascia appears far less cluttered than before… Ford has effectively done away with many buttons by migrating some controls into the bakkie’s infotainment touchscreen (functions such as the 4×4 modes and climate control are now integrated here). What’s more, a full 360-degree camera system is now available and, thanks to an embedded modem, the bakkie supports over-the-air updates.

Under the sheet metal, the all-new Ford Ranger rides on the 3rd generation of the T6 platform. The wheelbase is 50 mm longer and the track is 50 mm wider compared with those of the outgoing model. The new-look front end structure allows for more space in the engine bay, which means a bigger engine is in the offing… Ford has confirmed that a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel will be offered in the new Ranger.

Other engines on offer include the single-turbo diesel and bi-turbo diesel 2.0-litre 4-cylinder motors, which are produced in Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s factory in Gqeberha. The next-gen Ranger will also be available with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine. As far as transmissions are concerned, the current bakkie’s 10-speed automatic transmission has been updated, but Ford will also offer a 6-speed manual gearbox. At this stage, Ford has not shared engine outputs or claimed performance figures… and we also don’t have info on what’s earmarked for the local market.

Other noteworthy mechanical developments range from the repositioning of the front wheels, which have been brought forward and pushed outward by 50 mm for a better approach angle and off-road wheel articulation, to shifting the rear dampers to improve the ride quality. Customers will have a choice of two 4×4 systems: the traditional shift-on-the-fly setup, as well as a permanent 4×4 system.

Other really cool touches on the new Ford Ranger include the integrated side-step behind the rear wheels that allow for easier access into the load bay, the widened load bay, which is claimed to accommodate a sheet of plywood or a full-size pallet. It comes equipped with additional tie-down points and the tailgate doubles up as a workbench, replete with an integrated ruler and clamp pockets.

For those who like to accessorise their bakkie (and many buyers do), Ford says customers will be able to personalise their vehicles with “almost 600 fully factory-backed work, urban and adventure accessories, depending on the market. These accessories include those developed in collaboration with global off-road icon, ARB 4×4 Accessories.”

South African Availability

The new Ford Ranger will be launched in South Africa in 2022 with order books opening in the 2nd quarter. The local model’s engine lineup and outputs, as well as derivatives, will be shared closer to the launch. There was no mention of the next-gen Ranger Raptor, but we’re sure it’s in the pipeline… there will undoubtedly be more info about the range’s flagship in the coming months.

2022 Lexus ES Specs & Price Announced

The latest version of the Lexus ES has touched down in South Africa. Here’s how much it costs, plus what’s on offer.

With three decades of success and over 2.3 million sales under its belt, the 7th generation Lexus ES has been launched in South Africa. Lexus claims its new ES is more spacious, quieter and safer than ever before, and despite its SUV products outnumbering its sedan offerings, the brand reckons the ES will still garner more than a few sales.

Lexus South Africa will be offering the Lexus ES in three model grades: ES 250 EX, ES 300 hybrid EX and ES 300 hybrid SE. Customers have the choice of three new colours for the range: Sonic Iridium, Sonic Chrome, and Graphite Black.

There are two engines on offer for the new Lexus ES. The ES 2550 features a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine paired to an 8-speed automatic. Outputs of 152 kW and 243 Nm are touted, with a claimed acceleration and fuel economy of 9.1 seconds to 100 kph and 6.6 L/100 km respectively. The ES 300h range features the 4th-generation version of the self-charging hybrid system and it delivers a total outputs of 160 kW while consuming just 4.6 L/100 km. It has a claimed acceleration time of 8.9 seconds to 100 kph.

Levels of trim

Being a Lexus, the level of standard equipment is generous and there are no optional extras. Keyless smart entry, a moonroof, twin-front and twin-rear USB-C ports, DAB+ digital radio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity are standard across the range.

ES EX

17-inch wheels
10-speaker audio system
Blind spot monitoring
Rear-view camera
Park distance control
All-speed active cruise control

ES SE

18-inch wheels
10-way adjustable driver’s seat
Heated steering wheel
Heated front seats
Mark Levinson 17 Speaker audio
Lexus Safety System (Lane Departure Alert, Pre-Crash System, Lane Keep Assist, LED Adaptive high-beam assist)

How much does the new Lexus ES cost in South Africa?

The 2021 Lexus ES comes standard with a 7-year/105 000km warranty and full maintenance plan. Service intervals are every 15 000 km or alternatively once a year.

ES 250 EX R719 400
ES 300h EX R774 400
ES 300h SE R948 400

Nissan Stanza race car – A tribute to SA motorsport’s glory days

The Jacobs brothers live and breathe everything Datsun and Nissan. Riaan Jacobs of The Datsun Shop in Mpumalanga shows us his 1982 Nissan Stanza race car tribute.

Specifications

Related content:

BMW M 50th Anniversary: SA Details

BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022 and to celebrate, there will be a cool retro logo offered for BMW M and M Performance products.

Further Reading

Why isn’t Kia following Hyundai into bakkies?

The two Korean companies use similar tech, so where is the Kia double-cab?

Further Reading

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Launch Review

How does the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro perform?

What’s the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro like inside?

Chery’s dealer footprint in South Africa

Summary of the Tiggo 4 Pro

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – prices in South Africa (Nov 2021)

Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile Safety Enhanced

Toyota has beefed up the safety specification for its Hiace Ses’fikile people mover in South Africa.

How much does the Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile cost in South Africa? (November 2021)

It’s a Race! BMW 128ti versus Toyota GR Yaris on the Quarter-Mile

Watch Ciro de Siena and Ashley Oldfield charge down the quarter-mile strip in the BMW 128ti and the Toyota GR Yaris. Who wins? Watch now!

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2023 Ford Ranger: Entry-level model first look

The all-new 2023 Ford Ranger has been revealed and while all eyes are on the striking XLT and Wildtrak models, we wonder what the entry-level model will look like. Wonder no more!

Further Reading

JAC T8 (2021) Specs & Price

A new range-topping JAC T8 double-cab bakkie has been introduced to the South African market. See specification and pricing details below…

What standard features are offered on the JAC T8?

Can the JAC T8 go offroad?

How much does the JAC T8 Cost in South Africa

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New Ford Ranger officially revealed

The next-generation Ford Ranger has finally been unveiled. Here’s what we know about the Blue Oval’s newcomer, which, like its predecessor, will be built in South Africa.

2023 Ford Ranger Design

South African Availability

Further Reading:

2022 Lexus ES Specs & Price Announced

The latest version of the Lexus ES has touched down in South Africa. Here’s how much it costs, plus what’s on offer.

Levels of trim

ES EX

ES SE

How much does the new Lexus ES cost in South Africa?

Further Reading